The Nine

A Novel

By: Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg

Narrated by: Ari Fliakos, Marnye Young

Hannah Webber fears she will never be a mother, but her prayers are finally answered when she gives birth to a son. In an era of high-stakes parenting, nurturing Sam’s intellect becomes Hannah’s life purpose. She invests body and soul into his development, much to the detriment of her marriage. She convinces herself, however, that Sam’s acceptance, at age fourteen, to the most prestigious of New England boarding schools, overseen by an illustrious headmaster, justifies her choices.

When he arrives at Dunning, Sam is glad to be out from under his mother’s close watch. And he enjoys his newfound freedom - until, late one night, he stumbles upon evidence of sexual misconduct at the school and is unable to shake the discovery.

Both a coming-of-age novel and a portrait of an evolving mother-son relationship, The Nine is the story of a young man who chooses to expose a corrupt world operating under its own set of rules - even if it means jeopardizing his mother’s hopes and dreams.

©2019 Jeanne Blasberg (P)2019 Silverton Agency

Unexpected pleasure

Found this title in my Plus Catalog and gave it a try. It was a really good listen. Narrators were excellent. Story was told from a variety of view points. Characters had substance and the story was not a cliche.

EXTREMELY Disappointing!

I finished it, but only because I figured I would stick it out to see how it all ended. If I could have listened by skipping over everything that had anything to do with the mom, Hannah Weber, it might have been much better. That woman made even the most obnoxious helicopter parent seem normal!

keeps your attention

the book has twists and turns with good ending. the insight into a boarding school is interesting.

Fun and suspenseful

I listened to this book while I commuted. I would find myself sitting in my car in the garage curious to know what happens next and forcing myself to get out of the car. The story moves quickly and the characters feel developed and relatable. Fun and easy! Go for it.

Female narrator ruined it.

Something about her tone or enunciation rubbed me the WRONG way, finished but did not enjoy.

I’m already awaiting Blasberg’s next novel!

I started this book the day the pre-orders were released. Listened until 2:00 AM! Woke up and finished. I loved it. My own kids were day students at a prep school so I know what boarding life is like. From the beginning of the book, Blasberg makes us a part of the campus. She has a wonderful gift of storytelling, as well as chosing perfect narrators. I just bought the paperback version for my mom!

Wonderful book about life in a prep school and the pressures from an overbearing Mother. Fun to read. Keeps you totally involved

Ms Blasberg has written a wonderful book filled with insights into life at an exclusive boarding school. Her writing keeps you totally involved. Highly recommended to all.

Who wrote all the good reviews ?

Wow, I am shocked at the good reviews. I thought this was lacking on every level - bad narration ( even Ari Fliakos sounds bored ) unlikeable characters, and a totally predictable plot. There are better stories about the politics and bad behavior in prep schools. I had a hard time finishing this one.

Boring

Restarted 3 times. Still haven’t made it to chapter 2. Female narrator’s voice is awful. Sounds like she has cotton balls in her nose.